When Should I Start Up My Sprinkler System?

As springtime approaches, you may be wondering… Is it time to startup the sprinkler system?

After the winter you may be eager to get out there and start making the lawn look great. However, the reality is that you need to be careful when starting up your irrigation system for the first time, after the winter, or you may cause some expensive damage.

Sometimes there are also certain situations when you may want to have a professional do a springtime check and help you make sure everything is running right.

When To Start Up Your Underground Sprinkler System

Before starting up your irrigation system for the first time, ask yourself are the hard ground freezes done for the winter? A ground freeze is a potential anytime the temperatures drop to around 32 degrees.

While it is always tricky to guess the weather, in the Columbia SC area April is a great month to feel good about starting up your sprinkler system.

If you are mechanically inclined and familiar with the various parts of a sprinkler system then you can try starting it up for yourself, otherwise you may want to have a professional come out and help.

Normally in the spring, irrigation companies are very busy. So should you attempt to start the system yourself and run into any issues, you may have to wait awhile or pay a lot more to get some help.

When to Call a Professional

It is always a good idea to have a professional sprinkler company come out and do a sprinkler system inspection. Not only will they fix any small problems you may have but they will also be there to take care of any major issues should they arise.

It is especially important to get professional help if:

You are unsure whether or not the system was properly drained of water and correctly shut down at the end of last season

You suspect you may have a cracked pip somewhere in the system

Your system is more than three years old

Steps to Follow when Starting Your Irrigation System

If you feel confident starting up the system on your own, here is the steps you should follow.

Turn on the main valve.

Check for the integrity of each of the individual sprinkler heads. If they are broken or damaged, it is best to consult a professional.

Check for leaks or flow delays at any of the various sprinkler heads.

Let the system run for awhile and check for leaks and monitor that all sprinkler heads have the right spray patter. Clean, adjust or replace any heads that are not functioning properly.

Trust the Heads Up Irrigation Experts

A properly functioning irrigation system is key to a beautiful, lush green lawn year after year.

If you are looking to install a new irrigation system, or if you need any help getting yours up and running or performing as normal, give our team a call and well be happy to assist.